Annie Orlando: City needs to regain a well-run and respected government

Thursday

Feb 20, 2014 at 12:01 AM

We must refocus on providing services and infrastructure, while maintaining the culture and beauty that makes this a great place to live.

By Annie OrlandoSpecial to The Sun

It's been 30 years since I fell in love with Gainesville. My husband had just bought Atlas Screen Printing and we both believed this was the best place in the world to start a business and raise a family. We have done both.Since then, I've committed myself to improving the civic and economic life of our community and have been involved in a number of organizations. Each of these activities taught me how to achieve important goals while respecting and working with people who sometimes have different opinions.I was called to run for this office because of my deep concerns about the course our city has taken in recent years. We were once regarded as one of the best cities in America. If we take a new, smarter direction, we can regain and retain the qualities that made us not just the best, but special and unique.Now I find myself engaged in the most important civic activity any citizen can enter, as a candidate to become your city commissioner. We need a new direction, one that can change the seemingly immovable status quo and refocus on providing services and infrastructure, while maintaining the culture and natural beauty that makes Gainesville a great place to live. If elected, I will work to regain a sound, well-run and respected government.We are the educational center of Florida, blessed with the best and brightest citizens, who care enough to participate in our local government. But our city commission majority is inexplicably deaf to sound evidence and practical solutions presented by concerned and respected citizens. Commission decisions are often made on weak information, absent evidence or data and frequently based on personal political biases.We can have a better future. The new direction we so badly need is clear. We must take a stand on behalf of our citizens and ratepayers.This is a non-partisan race for very good reason. Real solutions are not dependent on ideology or party. If we only listen to folks who agree with us we will fail to implement the best solutions. I have been all over Gainesville to speak with everyone I can, regardless of your party affiliation or politics. If you and your neighbors invite me, I will come. And that won't change after you elect me.Government works best when it listens to its constituents. I want your calls, your emails and your presence at our commission meetings. Our needs cannot be met, nor our problems solved, without your input and your help. You can contact me at amo.gainesville@gmail.comMy business employs 24 people, has customers all over the world and brings millions into the local economy. Government may not be a business, but wouldn't we all be better off if our city government behaved more like one?I need your help to help us all. I am asking for your support and your vote.Please cast your ballot on March 11 for Annie Orlando, and bring a friend along with you.Annie Orlando is one of five candidates for Gainesville City Commission, At-Large Seat 2. For previous "On the Stump" guest columns, visit www.gainesville.com/opinion.

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